1 Corinthians 13: Love Series: Love Is Not Rude Part 6

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." - (1 Corinthians 13 NIV)

Happy Wonderful Wednesday!!!

Love is not rude.

Being rude is highly overrated in today's world. We reached to a point where we have lost a sense of human decency toward each other. It's extremely sad. I know the Lord has something to say, through me, to encourage and minister to His People, so you all can be blessed.

Before I further elaborate, I want to refresh our memories with the dictionary's meaning of rude. Rude - 1. discourteous or impolite, especially in a deliberate way. 3. rough in manners or behavior; unmannerly; uncouth.

I know ... that's how unpleasant rude is. Please excuse me, and I don't want to stomp on anyone's toes, but at some point in time, this subject must be addressed. Honestly speaking, rude is equated with the adjective's description of mean. Mean - 1. offensive, selfish, or unaccomodating; nasty; malicious. Again, that's how unpleasant mean truly is. They go hand-in-hand because being rude is being mean, if we think about it.

I will do my best to be delicate as possible, but I can't ignore what the Lord is pressing in my heart to say. I hope this devotion will shed light on your spiritual hearts and minds because being rude is offensive and it doesn't reflect God's character in any shape, fashion, or form. It amazes me how people are comfortable with magnifying rudeness in their daily lives. I don't know how they delude themselves to believe it's okay to pass brutal, nasty remarks to others and about others.

Satan utilizes this tool effectively because his sole purpose is to kill off humanity entirely. He loathes harmonious living in every way. And candidly speaking again, he doesn't care about us. Nope. Not one bit. And it's terrible. The Bible tells us in two scriptures: "The thief only comes to kill, steal, and destroy." (John 10:10). "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8).

Yes, Satan's intention is to bring out the worst in us, not the best. I want to be clear. This isn't about judging others because who are we to throw stones? Can I be real with you? I know it's going to sting, but rude behavior is overused.

Talking about someone behind his or her back, not venting about a situation what a person has done to you, is being rude and hypocritical. Before you assume, I want you to think about it for one minute. Say for instance, Sally speaks to Abigail about how Roger is assassinating her character by deliberately provoking her to anger. And he succeeds for evoking a powerful emotion out of her because she is literally at her breaking point. And while Sally is explaining her predicament to Abigail, Abigail is simply listening to what Sally is saying. Abigail isn't encouraging gossip by repeating or twisting what is said. She understands, with God's compassion, that Sally is hurting and she needs someone to listen to her, not judge her or make her look worse for how she is feeling. If we don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. Why? Because it doesn't make the person we're talking about look bad, but it makes us look bad. And that, my friend, unveils the ugliness roaming in our hearts.

That's one way of being rude.

Being overly critical about how a person does things, looks, feels, and doesn't see from our perspective is another way of being rude, when we intentionally criticize and dismiss everything about the individual.

I understand that, yes, we all have bad days, and sometimes our emotions run high because we have so much going on, and it causes us to be unintentionally rude (although rude is intentional, but in this case, it’s unintentional) to others without realizing it. When the other person catches it and walks away from us, realization hits us when we come to terms of what has occurred. And immediately, anyone who has a heart, we will feel bad for what we have done. I know I do whenever I react unseemly sometimes. I do my best not to make it constant. And once we are constantly rude, what does that say about our true character? Food for thought.

Mistreating a person because they aren't "hot" IS rude. Who are we to dismiss someone because we "feel" this person isn't attractive to us, or he or she doesn’t look the way we “think” he or she should? So, does it mean we shouldn't bother getting to know him or her at all? Yes, chemistry and interest is one thing, but being unbearably rotten to someone because we're not interested is another. Or even mistreating someone because we "believe" this person isn't important as our other friends. So, it gives us the right to mock them or only check up on them when we see it's convenient for us? And the list goes on and on.

I'm not trying to make anyone feel bad, but this really does happen if we're being truthful. This is conviction of God's Holy Spirit for us to check our erroneous thoughts, which is brewing in our hearts.

God's love is gentle, not weak. His love is kind, not nasty. His love is patient, not impatient. His love is considerate, not inconsiderate. His love encourages, not discourages. His love listens and it doesn't give a deaf ear when one is talking. His love finds something to positive to say about everyone, even if the person is irritating (laughing). We know this is true. We all have people in our lives rubbing us the wrong way! I don't know one person who doesn't. However, it doesn't give them or us the right to mistreat each other. It's a two-way street.

After all, the Bible clearly states: "Treat others the same way you want them to treat you." (Luke 6:31).

Before we jump into any conclusions, I want to clear any misunderstandings. What this scripture basically saying is, if we don’t like being mistreated, then why should we do it to others? It doesn’t make sense for people to give us respect, when we don’t show it first. If we respect ourselves, then it’s not hard to respect others. We’re all equal and we all have the same feelings. Just because two people respond to situations differently, it doesn’t make one superior or inferior over the other. We, as people, tend to take things out of context, especially when we don't take the time to absorb what is being said to us or what we read. That's why there is constant confusion because no one takes the time for anything anymore. God is not the Author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33).

We live in a hasty and cruel world. Why? I'll never comprehend it. One thing I do know is that I can't worry about or control others just because they consciously choose to mistreat me. I can only control my responses and my actions, even when I tend to mess up at times. And that's what makes me human, and you, too (smiling).

When we come over to Christ's side, it's a whole different ballgame. You will see people's truest colors coming out entirely. Why? Because God's light is shining brightly in you. And where God's light shines brightly, it drives out all darkness and evil forces. Everything is exposed for what it is. Whether it's behind closed doors or, I hate to say it, publicly. Whenever we don't correct our mistakes, we tend to keep on doing wrong. So, we think we don't need a makeover in our spirits. Beloved, there's always room for improvement. Always. And this is what a delusional spirit does, it makes us believe we're doing right, when in actuality, we're doing wrong. Only God can convict and bring us revelations about ourselves. Condemnation points fingers about a person's flaws and hangs it over their heads redundantly. Conviction taps at one's heart and shows his or her errors, and then blesses the person to make amends.

A true person of character constantly acknowledges his or her ways, once he or she comes into realization of what he or she has done. First, he or she repents to God. Second, he or she makes the wrong right with the people he or she has hurt. And last, he or she must forgives him or herself, and continually strives in living the life as a better human being. God delights in our honesty when we come to Him. Nothing moves God more, when we talk to Him about everything while being our true selves. Isn’t it lovely to know that we can carry everything to God in prayer? And after we have done this, He wraps us in His loving arms to let us know we will be all right and keep on living in Him.

If you are struggling with rude behavior or rude behavior is being directed toward you, I would love to pray for you.

Prayer: Father, I admit there are times I'm not my best. And I let my situations get the best of me. However, I'm coming to the conclusion, it doesn't excuse my behavior for being rude to others, when they don't mean me harm or when they do. I'm asking You to create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. I know it's through Jesus, I am redeemed and there is no condemnation to those who are in Jesus Christ. Help me to think carefully in what I do or say. But whenever I fall, please catch me and make the situation right. I'm truly sorry for how I behave because it doesn't glorify You whenever I rudely react to others. And for those who have been rude to me, Lord, I ask You to help and show them where they are making errors, too. Show them they don't have to embrace rudeness and hurt others in the process, but release whatever is stirring in their hearts to You. Redeem them, give them a new heart and mind, and bless them to make right decisions, which glorifies You wholeheartedly. In Jesus' name, Amen.

If you believe in this prayer, may you be healed and set free. Remember, how we react to situations and make our decisions is a daily thing. How you live is far more important than what you possess. Nothing is more precious than your soul, for you are unique and you are created for God's glory. Until next time, be blessed.